West Brom to assess Egyptian Ali Gabr before permanently signing him

Ahmed Hassan Kouka (L) of Cameroon challenged by Ali Gabr (R) of Egypt during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final match between Egypt and Cameroon at the Libreville in Gabon on 05 February 2017. EPA/Samuel Shivambu EPA/Samuel Shivambu

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Jun 06, 2018. 13:00

West Bromwich Albion are set to send scouts to Belgium to watch Egyptian defender Ali Gabr.

The reports suggest that the relegated English side will send scouts to watch the Pharaohs international in their pre-World Cup friendly against Belgium to decide if they will permanently sign him.

The Pharaohs are preparing in their last friendly before the World Cup, which will take place against Brussels on Wednesday, June 6.

A newspaper in England claims that the club’s technical consultant Giuliano Terraneo was supposed to attend Egypt’s friendly against Colombia last week, however, Gabr missed that game and Saad Samir started instead.

Gabr was named in Hector Cuper’s final 23-man squad and is expected to start in the 2018 FIFA World Cup alongside club teammate Ahmed Hegazi.

Hegazi was a key man for the Baggies last season, featuring in every Premier League game, but couldn’t help them survive relegation.

The loan deal between Albion and Zamalek includes an ‘option to buy’ clause, which allows the English side to sign Gabr permanently for just £1.1 million before the end of June.